“With this remarkable gift, David and Carolyn Miller move us closer to full funding for the renovation and expansion of this major resource for the campus and community,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “As a former Mustang basketball player, David has enjoyed the excitement of athletic success in this facility, and he and Carolyn have participated in numerous ceremonies in Moody. Now they are helping to ensure that others enjoy these communal experiences in a state-of-the-art version of this historic facility.”

The Millers’ announcement came just days after the Moody Foundation announced April 20 that it is committing $20 million toward the $40 million Moody expansion and renovation project. “With these lead gifts, we feel confident we have the momentum to attract other donors, and we look forward to working with them,” Turner added.

In commenting on their gift, David Miller said, “I had a wonderful academic and athletic experience at SMU. We are delighted to give something back to a University that has been so important to three generations of our family.”

Miller is co-founder and partner of EnCap Investments L.P., a private equity firm based in Houston and Dallas. He also is president of the David B. Miller Family Foundation, which he established in 2006. In addition to SMU, the foundation contributes to numerous charitable organizations. Carolyn Miller is vice president of the foundation.

Mr. Miller earned two degrees from SMU, a B.B.A. degree in finance in 1972 and an M.B.A. degree in 1973. As an undergraduate, he was a three-year starter and letterman on the varsity basketball team and a member of the 1971-1972 Southwest Conference Co-Championship team. Mr. Miller received the Distinguished Alumni Award from SMU’s Cox School of Business in 2000. In 2009 he received the Silver Anniversary Mustang Award from the SMU Lettermen’s Association.

“We are happy and honored that a former SMU student-athlete who has done so well professionally continues to support our student-athletes at such a significant level,” said Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. “David understands the importance of athletics to SMU, and this gift gives our programs an immediate and long-lasting boost, as well as dramatically improving the quality of experience all students will enjoy at Moody Coliseum events. The Millers’ generous gift will help make our legendary facility a state-of-the-art venue and help our teams meet the top-25 standard we have set for each of them.”